Strathmere residents ask court for permission to secede from Upper Township and join Sea Isle City

Residents of the sleepy beachfront community of Strathmere, Upper Township told a Superior Court judge today that they want out of Upper Township.

Citizens for Strathmere and Whale Beach, led by their attorney, former Gov. Jim Florio, are trying to secede and join Sea Isle City, arguing their current mainland government has ignored their public safety and beach concerns.

The township would lose nearly 18 percent of its tax base – and almost $4 million per year in school taxes – Strathmere seceded, lawyers for the township said. Many of its residents are affluent and elderly, they said.

After more than three years – including a 13-month Planning Board hearing – the issue is now before Superior Court Judge Valerie Armstrong, who heard oral arguments Monday in Atlantic City and is expected to issue an opinion in the next 60 days.